Chief of Staff, Victoria
Organization Overview
Wiser Projects is a woman-led community planning and development firm based on the traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples in Victoria, BC, with a focus on Vancouver Island and a growing national impact. The firm brings a values-based approach to planning, policy analysis, and development across every project and client relationship.
As a B-Corp certified organization, Wiser, and its affiliated non-profit organization (Wiser Development Society) are committed to social, environmental, fiscal, and corporate responsibility and transparency.
With a team of planners, designers, development consultants, and project managers, Wiser offers deep expertise in housing and community-based development. The firm partners with public, non-profit, and First Nations clients across Vancouver Island and beyond to realize transformative projects. Current and past projects include Victoria’s iconic Christ Church Cathedral Precinct Master plan, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria’s new gallery development, Duncan Housing Society’s 280-unit development with independent housing for seniors and persons living with disabilities, and multiple housing and master planning projects for Indigenous governments across Treaty Settlement and freehold lands.
Wiser’s work reflects a deep respect for the sensitivities and opportunities present in non-profit, public, and Indigenous-led initiatives. The firm is known for walking alongside long-term client partners to do whatever it takes to realize the full vision of a project while advancing broader community outcomes. Wiser also cultivates a peer-to-peer learning culture that supports each individual’s personal and professional development.
For more information, please visit wiserprojects.com.
The Opportunity
Wiser Projects is seeking a business-savvy and operations-focused professional to join their leadership team as their inaugural Chief of Staff (CoS). This is a unique opportunity to co-lead a growing planning and development firm in building internal capacity while directing client-facing deliverables and accountabilities.
Reporting to the Founding Principal, the CoS will be responsible for co-leading the organization by strengthening internal systems, streamlining operations, and ensuring the team is equipped to deliver on a diverse and expanding project portfolio. This includes overseeing internal workflows and performance practices, supporting business development efforts, and helping guide Wiser’s organizational growth.
While the CoS is primarily an internal leadership role, up to a quarter of the time will be dedicated to external, client-facing, or billable activities such as proposal writing, relationship building, and representing Wiser at conferences and community or industry events. In many respects, this role is akin to that of a COO with no direct reports – the CoS will eventually serve as the Founding Principal’s deputy and primary executive, overseeing, optimizing and driving forward most of Wiser Projects’ strategic initiatives and client matters.
This is a rare opportunity for an experienced project management, consulting, or operations professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operations, and relationship development. The team at Wiser Projects is highly entrepreneurial and deeply collaborative—success in this role will require the ability to lead through influence, guide cross-functional teams, and support a strong internal culture without relying on formal authority.
There is real growth potential in this position for the right individual—someone motivated by challenge and relationships and inspired by the impact of values-aligned work. As a visible co-leader within the organization, the CoS helps shape direction through ideas and initiative, while also serving as a representative of the firm in external relationships. Internally, the role maintains a strong and steady presence—an open-door leader whom team members can rely on for clarity, direction, and connection as they navigate projects and priorities.
A strong understanding of the sensitivities and opportunities involved in working with non-profit, public, and Indigenous communities is a major asset. This role calls for someone eager to contribute to projects that build real community—through housing, planning, policy, and socio-economic opportunity—and who is energized by a setting where leadership is shared and impact is collective.
Key Responsibilities
The CoS’ main responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Administrative / Organizational Development / Leadership (80% internal)
Review and drive the internal and external financial processes and goals (project and administrative), with support staff
Lead the design and implementation of technology systems, templates, and database practices to ensure consistent, accurate, and accessible tracking of key organizational and project-related data.
Maintain continual intellectual curiosity to stay informed on technical, political, and community changes that impact Wiser’s work
Lead the internal human resource processes, and support the human resource manager
Support and lead movement toward strategic goals
Develop relationships that support internal organizational growth
Design and lead invoicing best practices and monitor receivables and payables.
Client-Facing / Business Development / Relationship Building (10% external / billable)
Represent Wiser and its projects to external communities and the general public in diverse settings
Identify, secure, and manage existing and new client and partner relationships
Identify and build agreed-upon new technical work streams and opportunities (e.g., strategic planning, municipal and government policy and planning work)
Support and lead proposal and bid activity for competitive and non-competitive scopes of work
Project Leadership / Technical Growth Support (10% external / billable)
Act as quality control lead and technical reviewer on proposals or projects, as appropriate
Monitor staff project workflow and support them in ongoing project needs, scope changes, and resourcing
Demonstrate an overall understanding of development drivers such as project management philosophies, project scoping, financial management, scheduling, quality assurance, and risk management
Analyze and solve complex issues, strategize options, form solutions, mitigate risks, and support effective decision-making related to project work
Draft, lead, and review new areas of technical growth that align with strategic direction and business opportunities
Preferred Qualities & Experience
Wiser Projects welcomes all credibly experienced professionals to apply, however, considering the seniority, breadth, complexity, and authority of this position, they will prioritize candidates who have the following attributes or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum ten years’ experience in operations, administrative / project management, or corporate services, ideally within a comparable agency or firm environment such as consulting, planning, development, construction, architecture, design, or other industries such as law, accounting, or engineering
A post-secondary degree, preferably in Business Administration, Architecture, Urban Planning, Human Resources, Commerce, Project Management, or Finance
Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with comfort navigating digital platforms and internal systems such as SharePoint and Teams
Superior communication and public relations skills, with a demonstrated ability to engage effectively with internal teams and external partners—including public agencies, non-profit clients, and Indigenous governments—while building long-term, cooperative relationships that add value to both the organization and staff experience
Brings a strong understanding of contracts and billable environments; experience managing a range of contractual relationships, paired with sound judgment and a consistent reputation for acting with integrity and professionalism
Demonstrates sensitivity and a genuine commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation, with the ability to embed these values across internal systems and external work
Highly organized and results-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and shifting timelines while balancing independent initiative with collaborative teamwork in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Excellent project management, mentoring, delegation, planning, and leadership skills, with highly effective negotiation, diplomatic, and conflict resolution abilities
Creative and able to solve problems efficiently and effectively, with strong risk mitigation and management capabilities to support decision-making across diverse operational and project needs
Demonstrable skills and success financial planning and management for both internal operations and external project management needs
Motivated by purpose-driven work and energized by opportunities for growth, with a strong interest in supporting long-term organizational development and the evolving needs of clients and communities
Commitment to working in a youthful team environment, with established team building abilities
Compensation & Search Process
Wiser Projects offers a competitive compensation package and is budgeting a salary range between $100,000-$120,000+, plus an additional bonus opportunity for this position based on profit-sharing. Benefits and perks include a 35-hour workweek, three weeks of paid vacation plus a one-week winter office closure and monthly flex days after one year, health and wellness benefits, RRSP matching after one year, and a $1,000 annual professional development allowance.
The role is full-time, based in Victoria, BC, with a hybrid work arrangement (four days in-office/one day remote). Some paid travel may be required across British Columbia. While a full-time commitment is preferred, a 0.6 or 0.8 FTE arrangement may be considered (e.g., three or four days per week).
The search process may include longlist, shortlist, and committee interview stages. Finalists will be asked to provide comprehensive references and complete a thorough background check. We expect to process our first review of applications by August 11, 2025.
In respect of inclusion, we encourage candidates who require accommodations to contact us directly with related questions, which will be addressed in confidence.
To apply, please forward your resume and cover letter to info@mosaicsearch.ca. You are also welcome to email Alana Briggs (alana@mosaicsearch.ca) with any related questions.
